The warrior code

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Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The warrior code is a list of sixteen[1] different rules that should be followed by all Clancats. It is taught from the first moons of kithood to when an elder is faced with death. It is said that, as long as the Clans follow the warrior code, no harm shall come to them.[2]

Contents

History

There is a disagreement about the origins of the warrior code. On one hand, Secrets of the Clans states that the rules were invented when the Clans were founded, made up by the leaders Thunder, Shadow, Wind, and River.[3] On the other hand, Code of the Clans states that the rules were developed during a very long timespan, each one invented by different cats after a significant event.[4] For example, Daisytail made it law that kits must be six moons old in order to start their training after being nervous about her kit's safety.[5]

The warrior code

Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.

Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.

Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.

Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.

A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.

Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.

A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.

The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled.

After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.

A Gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time.

Each Clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect the four. Each Clan must help the others so that no Clan will fall.[7]

At the lake, cats may travel on other Clans' grounds as long as they are within two fox-lengths of the lake; for instance, to go to a Gathering.[9]

Cats may travel on other Clan territories if they have something to report or to ask for help.[10]

The code is flexible about leadership challenges. Cats may challenge a weak or cruel leader if their Clan is in danger, and if their leadership threatens the Clan, the code expects a warrior to challenge their leader.[11]

Additional rules

The following rules are not specifically stated in the warrior code, but are expected to be followed:

Rule 5 was broken by Brokenstar of ShadowClan, when he forced kits to become apprentices before they were old enough. He also trained them too hard, killing some of them. Some were made warriors before they were even six moons old.[30] This rule was also broken when Bluestar apprenticed Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw before they were six moons old.[31]

Rule 6 was broken when Squirrelflight was named a warrior, but did not sit vigil, as ThunderClan did not yet have a camp.[32] This comes into conflict with her story in Code of the Clans, where she gives vigil tips and shares experiences from her own vigil.[33]

Rule 7 was broken by Firestar when he appointed Brambleclaw as deputy because he had no apprentice, even though he was going to mentor Berrykit when he became six moons.[34] This rule was also broken when Hawkfrost was appointed temporarily as deputy, since he hadn't mentored an apprentice.[35]

Rule 9 was broken by Bluestar when she waited for too long to name a new deputy,[37] and when Firestar refused to name a deputy when Graystripe disappeared.[source?]

Rule 10 was broken by all Clans when they fought numerous times at Gatherings.[38]

Rule 11 was broken by ShadowClan when they stopped believing in StarClan and stopped patrolling their borders.[39]

Rule 12 was broken by Russetfur and her patrol, watching Berrykit struggle with his tail caught in a fox trap, and making no move to help him.[40] Also done by Tigerstar when he was an apprentice and tried to kill Scourge while he was a kit named Tiny.[41]

Rule 13 was broken by Fireheart when he refused to attack WindClan when Bluestar planned an attack.[42]

The rule about medicine cats being forbidden to have a mate and kits was broken by both Leafpool and Yellowfang.[50]

Punishment

General

These can be a scolding,[source?] giving a warrior apprentice duties,[51] or giving an apprentice an unpleasant task.[52]

Losing their rank

Breaking the code can also result in a cat being stripped of their duties. One major example of this is Firestar punishing Leafpool. She was forced to surrender her medicine cat duties, due to the truth about Jayfeather, Hollyleaf, and Lionblaze's parentage, and also taking a mate.[53]

Exile

In severe cases, the cat may be exiled from the Clan. This has happened in the series multiple times, and some examples are:

Leopardstar exiling Graystripe from RiverClan, due to him not attacking his former ThunderClan Clanmates.[54]